Supervisor Efren Carrillo expected to return Tuesday

Beleaguered Sonoma County Supervisor Efren Carrillo alerted his board colleagues that he would return to public duties Tuesday, more than five weeks after his arrest.

Carrillo made a series of phone calls to fellow members of the Board of Supervisors throughout the day Monday saying he planned to attend their 8:30 a.m. meeting Tuesday.

It would be Carrillo's first public appearance since his July 18 court date. He was arrested July 13 on suspicion of prowling and burglary.

Carrillo, 32, promptly entered a treatment program for what his close advisers have said is an alcohol problem. Prior to Monday, the second-term supervisor had not given any indication of when — or if — he would return to county business.

Several supervisors said they were disappointed by the abruptly planned appearance — at a meeting with a light agenda where only three other supervisors will be in attendance.

Supervisor Shirlee Zane called Carrillo's sudden return to public office a "distraction from our official business."

"I'm not happy about that," Zane said.

Carrillo's reemergence comes three weeks after his board colleagues publicly condemned the conduct that led to his arrest. He faces a rising tide of opposition from his sharpest critics, some of whom have called for him to resign and vowed to recall him if he does not.

Supervisor David Rabbitt, chairman of the board, said Carrillo called him Monday morning and the two had spoken. Based on their conversation he said he expected Carrillo to be at Tuesday's board meeting.

"As far as I know, he's coming back," Rabbitt said.

Carrillo did not return calls or text messages for comment.

Supervisor Susan Gorin said Carrillo left a message at her home that he would attend the meeting and hoped to meet with the supervisors for a few minutes privately beforehand.

"I'm about ready to tell him a few minutes will not suffice. He's going to have to make an appointment," said Gorin, who has been perhaps the most outspoken in her disappointment in Carrillo's alleged behavior.

Santa Rosa police officers arrested Carrillo after a female neighbor made two predawn 911 calls to report a man, later identified as Carrillo, who police said tried to enter her home through a bedroom window.

An officer encountered Carrillo nearby wearing only his socks and underwear.

Police later said the incident had the marks of an attempted sexual assault.

Prosecutors on July 18 postponed filing charges against Carrillo. He is next due in court Aug. 30 to learn what criminal charges, if any, prosecutors will file.

Zane, who is out of the state and won't be at Tuesday's meeting, said she did not hear from Carrillo Monday and was surprised to learn about his plans.

Rabbitt said he too was not entirely happy about Carrillo's last-minute notice, which surfaced publicly late Monday.

Supervisor Mike McGuire said he had received a phone message from Carrillo on Monday evening, but had not spoken to him.

Though Carrillo called fellow supervisors to alert them of his plans, his district director said she was unaware of his schedule.

"I don't have confirmation of that," Susan Upchurch said of his planned appearance at Tuesday's hearing.

Rabbitt lamented that he had little authority over how Carrillo conducted his return to county business, including what he might say at the start of the board meeting.